The Soda Factory.

Polyester Lovers had the chance to check out Sydney’s newest late night watering hole this week. The Soda Factory is Surry Hills’ latest “hidden gem”, 12 months in the making and it’s been worth the wait! Intended as a sanctuary for our lovely city’s late night boozers or lovers of live music, The Soda Factory is definitely worth a look!

Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival

It's been a week since New Year's Eve and I have finally found the time (and energy) to sit down and write about my New Years.

This year I went to Peats Ridge Arts and Music Festival at Glenworth Valley. As a virgin to this festival I have to say it was pretty amazing.

I have never been to a festival that had so many different things going on at once, there was so much to see and do! Although I did spend a lot of time trying to stay out of the horrifically hot sun that does not get along with my red hair and fair skin too well.

With over 10 000 people converging for the event the start of the festival was greeted with a line up and car search, which is generally to be expected for camping festivals. After waiting for an hour we were through and more than eager to find the rest of our crew, set up camp and meet our neighbours for the next few days. The first day is generally when everyone had the most energy. We were fresh faced and ready to spend the day exploring the festival and what it had to offer. Highlights from the daytime definitely included Mat McHugh and the Seperatista Sound System who had everyone up dancing. Also David Knight, who at 19 years of age is definitely a true talent to keep an eye (or even an ear) out for!!

The first night brought with it so much fun! Headlining the main stage was The Herd who, as always, were fabulous. As a group they are fantastic performers but I have to say that Jane Tyrrell definitely adds that extra something to the group. I heard quiet a few people giving her the praise she definitely deserves.

Over at the Chai Temple Valley of Kings had their whole audience captivated.They definitely fit the relaxed vibe of the festival.

The last act I saw for the first night was Krafty Kuts vs A-Skillz. They had a few technical issues to begin with that were sorted out in enough time to keep the audience from straying. 

The second day brought with it a hot sun and many more fantastic acts. Day two is definitely a rest day after partying hard the first night. 65daysofstatic and The Black Seeds were my personal favourites. I didn't see anyone without a huge grin on their face during 65daysofstatic. 

New Zealand's The Black Seeds had everyone dancing around as they sung about "Something Beautiful".

The second night saw friends made and another late night.

Day Three - New Years Eve! What can I say, this day was even hotter. And the hangover's were certainly starting to kick in. John Butler Trio were amazing to bring in the New Years, they suited Peats Ridge Festival perfectly. Even telling everyone to, "pick up three bits off rubbish" at the end of their set. 

I treated myself to some Wood Fired Pizza after John Butler and is was absolutely delicious to say the least. 

I was so glad that acts continued well after midnight. I have been to other festivals where not much happens after the countdown, leaving everyone looking for something to entertain themselves. 

Friendly Fires DJ Set with Jack Savidge was perfectly timed to continue dancing. Finishing up his set with "Love is in the Air" was great!

The stage that had a DJ with naked dancers drew in a very naked crowd and awkward looking onlookers. 

To finish the night off I went to the Future Bubble, which was essentially a bubble that popped up out of no where at some point during the night that featured DJs. 

It is also apparently a known fact that the last night of the festival is dress up time. 

People were dressed up the whole festival, however NYE saw people get extremely creative and some obviously put huge effort into their costumes. 

A mention has to go to The Night Odditorium which was an installation that just had to be experienced.

Also a shout out to my amazing photographer Chris, without him this post would have been extremely dull.

Peats Ridge Festival was such a relaxed festival which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone willing to listen.

What did you do for New Years?

Rachel

xx

Bellflower

To be completely honest I did not sit down to watch Bellflower with high expectations. Sure I’d seen the perfectly put together trailer, the reviews from Rolling Stone describing it as, “Hallucinatory. Bellflower practically jumps off the screen.” But I still wasn’t convinced. I was expecting another average artsy film.

After watching the film, my view has completely changed.

Evan Glodwell’s first attempt at writing and directing is outstanding. He is definitely one to watch in both fields.

The Interview

In a society addicted to “reality TV”, Sam Atwell’s adaptation of theatre play, The Interview, will have you questioning truth and how celebrity is perceived.  The fast-paced drama, originally penned for theatre by Theo van Gogh and subsequently transformed into a film staring Steve Buscemi and Sienna Miller, follows B-list celebrity and tabloid regular, Katja (Alison McGirr, Home and Away), who yearns to be taken as a serious actress.

Chance Waters

Sydney hip-hop artist Chance Waters is set to make a decent stir in the Aussie hip-hop scene. After being crowned Triple J’s Unearthed Feature Artist under the alias Phatchance, he’s toured with local hip-hop royalty 360, Illy, Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Pez.

Now he’s ditched the name and getting ready to release new album, Infinity. You may already recognise first track, Maybe Tomorrow, which has been getting a significant amount of airplay over at Triple J.

Melody's Echo Chamber

Paris based singer songwriter Melody Prochet may not be a name you know. But the gentlemen who produced her album definitely will be. Since bumping into Kevin Parker, the front man of Tame Impala, Melody has supported Tame Impala through Europe. Plus moved in with the Perth based boys for a couple of months to create her first album with new band, Melody’s Echo Chamber.

Moonrise Kingdom.

You might have heard of Wes Anderson from films like Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Royal Tenenbaums. Like the rest of his films, Moonrise Kingdom is the tale of misfit characters attempting to find their place in the world and through this, an adventure is created.